If someone dies then there may be criminal charges in Memphis, even if the death was not intentional. This means that every day you are at risk of being charged with homicide, if you drive recklessly or under the influence of alcohol or even if you did not intend to kill someone, in Memphis, you could face a very long time behind bars.
The definition of criminal homicide is the intentional, reckless or criminally negligent killing of another person with no legal justification. This can range from premeditated murder to causing a fatal car accident while traveling at an unreasonable speed. However, if you kill someone in self defense or doing something which is just negligent but not actually criminally negligent then that is not an offense. This is where a good criminal defense lawyer can help you.
In Tennessee there are many levels of criminal homicide. The first is known as first degree murder which is premeditated and will result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty. Second degree murder is that not only was it carried out knowingly but also that the conduct was such that the perpetrator was reasonably sure that death would occur and is a class A felony. Voluntary manslaughter is intentional but done in the heat of passion, and is a class C felony, and reckless homicide is causing death which was not intentional, but the person who carried it out was reckless and is a class D felony. ‘
Finally there is vehicular homicide, killing someone while driving intoxicated or driving recklessly and criminally negligent homicide which involves causing death through criminally negligent behavior.
Each homicide charge carries very different penalties and it is vital to employ a skilled homicide attorney who can put together the best possible defense to ensure the best possible outcome for their clients.
